Overview
- Judge Diego Amarante rejected Claudio Tapia’s request to travel to Venezuela, citing inconsistent invitation letters for the same event and concerns about Venezuela’s political instability.
- Prosecutor Claudio Navas Rial had advised allowing the trip with a bond, but the court ruled the documentation and circumstances did not justify new authorization.
- Days earlier, Tapia was allowed to visit Colombia and Brazil under a AR$5 million bond, and the judge noted he then sought to alter that itinerary to add Venezuela beyond what was approved.
- Tapia has formally asked to annul his summons to questioning, arguing administrative measures suspending fiscal executions for nonprofits negate criminal liability, a position the judge has already rejected and which is now on appeal.
- The case relies on a technical report showing large 2024–2025 cash inflows and term deposits to argue AFA had the capacity to deposit withheld taxes, as the association’s strike has also suspended matchday 9 during the hearing dates.